Msheireb Properties has been awarded Sweden’s ENVAC AB, a major contract to install a state-of-the-art automated waste recycling system for its flagship Msheireb downtown project in Doha.The installation of the processing system reflects Msheireb Properties’ commitment to sustainable development across all its projects and is in-line with Qatar’s Vision 2030.The system, which can handle around 80 per cent of household waste, will see three vertical chutes installed in each residential building, with inlets on each floor. Each is specially designed to handle organic waste such as kitchen refuse, ‘dry’ mixed recyclables such as glass, plastic, metal, cardboard packaging, newspapers etc, and residual waste such as wet paper, clothes, and other refuse. The clever part lies in ENVAC’s automated process, which uses air as a medium to suck the waste through a steel pipe network to a centralised waste collection terminal, which can be as far as 3km away from the point of discharge. Commercial, retail and other users in the building will have their own dedicated inlets, while supermarkets, hotels and other standalone buildings will also get a dedicated connection to the network. Mohammed Al-Marri, Projects Director of Msheireb Properties said: “The Gulf’s remarkable growth story has also affected the environment to a degree, which is why offsetting the impact of any development is at the heart of Msheireb Properties’ vision. With this system from ENVAC, combined with an education campaign for all residents, we can ensure Msheireb Downtown is at the forefront of the world’s ‘Green cities’ movement.” “That aspect of education is critical to getting the most out of this system. Recycling, however, still isn’t necessarily upper-most in people’s minds, which is why we in partnership with ENVAC are also putting together a program which will put in place weekly workshops on how to use ENVAC, as well as organizing visits to the collection centre to see how the waste is collected and segregated. “We are confident that through education programs such as these, future residents of Msheireb Downtown will make the neighbourhood’s green credentials a real point of pride.” ENVAC is a pioneer in waste collection and recycling, and invented its vacuum-based system of collection and segregation as far back as 1961. Since then it has become recognised as a world-leader is residential and industrial automated waste processing facilities. Msheireb Properties is a real estate company and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation. The company was established as a commercial venture to support the Foundation’s aims, as well as the goals of Qatar’s 2030 Vision. From / Gulf Today